Desert Manna ~ Series Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the 

Desert Manna series by Karen Baney, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Desert Manna series by Karen Baney is set in Prescott, Arizona in the early 1870s. There are three books in this series that is considered A Christian Historical Western Cowboy Romance. (I know a bit of a mouthful but it fits). Faith is a definite thread throughout all three books. And if you like romance with more than a chaste kiss at the end of the book this series is for you. (I prefer less kissing. Much less and not so soon in the relationship, but that's just me) There is something about the style of this series that reminds me of Elaine L. Schulte's California Pioneers series.

Now to the individual books.

Beauty for Ashes is the first book in the series. We are introduced to Rebecca Elliot, who has been widowed for about seven years. She lost her husband to the Civil War and has been a single mother to her son his whole life. But she is now leaving the years of struggle behind as she joins her brother Alexander Glassman in Prescott, Arizona. 

Before the stagecoach Rebecca is traveling on reaches its destination, they come upon a horrific scene and find Perry Quinn hurt and left for dead, his ranch destroyed. Called upon to nurse Perry until they reach Prescott, Rebecca finds herself drawn to Perry's plight, one not so very different than what she had faced. 

As Perry struggles to find his place in Prescott, he finds himself drawn to Rebecca, while trying to deny it. Perry's injuries and loss of all he owned have shaken the foundations of his life. Can he find a new way or will he allow the anger he feels to cause him to take action against those he feels responsible? With Rebecca willing to help him with a kind word and her gentle spirit, can he find a new purpose in his life?

Joy for Morning is the second book in the Desert Manna series and it takes place in 1872. Grace Talbert refuses to be a pawn in her father's drive to further his ambitions. After her mother dies there is no one to stand up to her father and run interference between them. Grace has no desire to marry any of the highly eligible suitors her father deems worthy, not of Grace, but of connecting their name to his. 

Grace's passion is helping those in need and spending much of her time heading the Women's Aid Society to improve the living conditions of the local widows and Indians. She's not willing to give up her work for any man, and when Joshua Harrison warns that aiding the Indians is dangerous they find themselves at odds. But they just might be what the other needs, but only if they try to see the other's point of view.  When tragedy strikes they'll have to rely on their faith to see them through.

Oaks of Justice the third and final book of the series finds Mel (Melissa) Larson practicing law under her mentor when a threat to her life causes him to send her back home to Prescott. Her first case finds her going up against the newly elected DA Alexander Glassman. Sparks are about to fly as Mel and Alex face off in the courtroom. 

But after the dust settles we learn more of Alex Glassman's story. In the first two books, he's a character who we only know as a lawyer but we get to see the man who isn't the lawyer. He hasn't found someone to love. He has interests outside of law. He was a disappointment to his late father. And he'll do anything to keep those he loves safe. 

All three books are historical fiction with an emphasis on the romance that runs throughout. In each, the main characters face periods of trial, which makes their romance all the more meaningful to them. Loss, death, and uncertainty all drive the stories to their conclusion. The books are well-written but I found all the kissing a bit much and actually detracted my enjoyment of the books. But, that being said, I would gift these to family members who would enjoy them and are less "prudish" than me (their words, not mine, though I don't object to the statement).    

I was provided a complimentary copy of these books with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

About the Books

Title: Beauty for Ashes
Series: Desert Manna #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: March 7,2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Uplifting Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1871. 

As a widow who lost her husband in Sherman’s fiery march to the sea, Rebecca Elliot struggled to provide for her son. When she hears from her brother in Prescott, Arizona, she makes the journey west to start over. An unexpected tragedy on the last leg of her travels changes the trajectory of her heart and life as she never could have imagined. 

Perry Quinn finally said goodbye to his late wife when his life is turned upside down. When he loses everything that he worked hard to accomplish, he must humble himself and start over while trying to find the answers to why he lost everything. Along the way, a kind woman steals his heart and reminds him that there is beauty in the middle of the ashes of his life. 

Will he let go of his grief to find true love?  

If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Title: Joy for Mourning
Series: Desert Manna Series #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: April 25, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1872. 

Grace Talbert spurns every suitor her father finds. She longs for the spark of romance and is unwilling to settle for something less. Her passion is running the Women’s Aid Society, which organizes many charitable events to help the poor and the Indians. When a trip to deliver goods to the reservation leaves her stranded with a handsome stranger, she discovers the love she longed for. 

After many years of wandering and building up his freight business, Joshua Harrison decides to return to Prescott. As bachelor, he is ill-equipped to raise the orphaned daughter of a friend. He hopes the stable life of a small town will bring what he needs to become a good father. Having failed at love twice, he is afraid to try again, until he is stranded with the unconventional and beautiful Grace Talbert. 

Can he move past his heartache to open himself to love again?  

If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Title: Oaks of Justice
Series: Desert Manna Series #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Gripping Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1873. 

Mel Larson is used to being underestimated as a female attorney. When her life is threatened, her mentor takes her home to Prescott. As the defense attorney for her innocent client who is on trial for murder, she goes head-to-head with the new District Attorney. When she apologizes to him for using some unconventional tactics, sparks fly, and she finds a love she had not been looking for. 

Alex Glassman was ready to settle down but after a failed courtship, he doubted if he would ever find the right match. When a major court case falls into his lap, he is unprepared to argue the case against a fiery red-headed woman. When the case is over and he humbles himself to admit his mistakes, his heart is captured, and he dares to hope that she could be the one. 

When Mel's life is threatened, can Alex save her in time?  

If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Buy the Complete Series in One Volume

---

About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win signed copies of all 3 books in the Desert Manna series plus a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Flashpoint ~ Review

Flashpoint
Chasing Fire: Montana #1

By Susan May Warren

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.

THIS TIME, THEY’RE NOT JUST FIGHTING FIRE.

The Hollywood heartthrob and the firefighter with a secret…

Emily Micah is determined to finally prove herself as a firefighter with the elite Jude County Hotshots wildfire team. But when she reacts rather than following proper protocol she finds herself assigned to the movie set of Drifters, to hopefully prevent any more special effect fires. No pressure there! 

And of course, Storm Spenser being on the set is just an added bonus. And she won't go all crazy fangirl on him, even if she is (or rather was) in one of the exclusive fan clubs when she was younger. And when Spenser asks for her help with the child actor on the set, what's a girl to say but YES! 

Storm is trying to rebuild his acting career. After a crazed stalker derailed him, he needs to make a comeback soon and this film could make or break his career. But a series of accidents threatens not only the film but the lives of those on the set. 

Flashpoint is the first book in the Chasing Fire: Montana Series. With the land a tinderbox one mistake, one spark could become an inferno. And when evidence points to something other than an accident these heroes will need to be prepared for anything. 

This is a fast-paced read that draws one into the action from the beginning. The main characters Emily and Storm are dealing with the demons of their pasts as they try to find their place. Emily hasn't found where she fits yet. And Storm needs to rediscover where he belongs - the family ranch or in front of the camera. But more than fire threatens them, and they'll have to be prepared for what's coming. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Available to purchase at https://amzn.to/44eZeVw 

About the Book:

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. SACRIFICE.

THIS TIME, THEY’RE NOT JUST FIGHTING FIRE.

An original series created by bestselling authors Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

The Hollywood heartthrob and the firefighter with a secret…

Rookie firefighter Emily Micah is determined to prove herself as a new recruit to the elite Jude County Hotshots wildfire team. Assigned to the film set of The Drifters, Emily’s mission is to protect the cast and crew from the special effects that could ignite the tinder-dry Montana forest and start a wildfire.

If only her favorite actor—TV star Spenser Storm—wasn’t getting in her way.

What could go wrong?

Haunted by the memory of a rabid stalker, former child TV star Spenser Storm is hoping to revive his career, but he’s torn between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the life of a cowboy on his family’s ranch in Montana. It doesn’t help when he sees the movie that’s supposed to launch his future is going up in flames.

And then there’s beautiful and brave Emily Micah, who not only saves his life, but seems to understand him, maybe better than she should.

As an arsonist threatens the film production, seemingly with the goal of destroying the movie entirely, Spenser realizes he’ll stop at nothing to protect his future and the woman now stealing his heart.

But Emily harbors a secret…one that could destroy the flame between them. And when it comes out, it could cost them everything, and ignite an inferno that could destroy all of the northern Montana forest.

Chasing Fire: Montana Series, Book One—Flashpoint—delivers a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless, yearning for more, and eager to dive into the next chapter of the thrilling series.

For a Lifetime ~ Review

For a Lifetime

Timeless #3

By Gabrielle Meyer

Grace and Hope are twin sisters who have inherited their mother's ability to live in two different time periods.  But living in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, is dangerous for anyone accused of witchcraft  While living in 1912 is full of freedoms and experiences that can't be found in 1692. 

Every night Grace and Hope time-cross, rather than dreaming they live a day in one of their "times". In 1692, they're treated like servants in their father's tavern. While in 1912, Hope is a pilot, and Grace is a newspaper reporter. With months until their 25th birthday, they know where they want to live their futures. But some choices aren't ours to make, as they discover when something changes everything. 

For a Lifetime offers a few twists that previous books in the Timeless series didn't, including a mystery that they may only be able to solve because of their time-crossing gift. I can't imagine having to make a choice like this, a choice to never see a family member ever again, and that is exactly what Grace and Hope face. How does one weigh which life is more meaningful? Does one have regrets once the decision is made? I realize that this decision is the same that each MC faces in this series, but this one seems more difficult and emotional. 

This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a stand-alone title. Yes, there are characters from the previous book but they are secondary characters in this one. This book is engaging as the story progresses in alternating times and viewpoints. Overall this is an excellent read that I have no qualms recommending. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?

AUTHOR BIO

Gabrielle Meyer (GabrielleMeyer.com) is an ECPA bestselling author. She has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. 

She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she's a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope.

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple ~ Review

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

By Joanna Davidson Politano

Lily Temple was warned that a man would come seeking her, she's always known this could happen. Little is known about her and that's just the way she wants it. She lives to tell stories and her skill as a silent-film actress is a perfect extension of her storytelling. But when she spins into Peter Driscoll's life, neither will be the same again.  

Lily's life is hidden in half-truths and tales she's created. But to understand her Peter must listen to the story she isn't speaking. Using the skills he's developed as an investigator, he's seeking answers only she can tell him in her own unique way. But the truth he seeks doesn't come without danger, because someone wants the truth Lily knows to remain hidden.       

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is a multilayered story that starts at the end before revealing what came before in snippets of incidents. We are not told what set Lily on the path she was on until much later in the story. The most important question we need to ask is who is Lily Temple. This same question drives the story as Lily seemingly flits through life. But as Peter soon discovers there is more to Lily than is on the surface. She hides as much as she reveals in the stories she tells.

This is one of those books that deserves a second reading. It is easy to miss moments of import to the story, and I've discovered with the author's previous works it is easy to miss important clues during the first reading. 

The mysteries hidden within the book captured my imagination from the beginning. There is the Briarwood Teardrop, long presumed missing. Or is it? There is Lily herself. The mysterious man who seems to be seeking her out.  And then there is Peter Driscoll, who invites Lily into his investigations to better understand her and the sapphire she keeps close. All combine into a historical romance you won't want to miss.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

                                                                                       

About the Book:

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.

The Girl From the Hidden Forest ~ Review

The Girl From the Hidden Forest

By Hannah Linder

She doesn't remember her life before the forest. But she remembers her nightmares and the beast that haunts them. Eliza Ellis calls the forest home, which is isolated with just her dog Merrylad and Captain, her father. She knows and loves her home. She dreams about the worlds that live within her books, never thinking she would ever see them. 

But when Felton Northwood steals her away from all she's known, her world is shattered. He tells her that the life she's known is a lie. For 14 years her life has been a lie. But Eliza knows the truth. Captain is her father, not some unknown viscount. And she never witnessed her mother's murder. And yet there is something familiar that nags.

Felton knows that Eliza is the key to clearing his family's name of the murder of Lady Gillingham. If only she can remember the truth he knows that the true killer will be identified and the cloud hanging over the Northwood name will be destroyed.

But nothing is ever easy and Eliza's return awakens danger - someone seems determined to keep her memories hidden away, even if it means ending her life.

Anyone who loves fiction with a Gothic feel will LOVE this book. This has forbidden romance, a displaced character, unwanted attraction, family secrets, and a beast. This book has emotional swings as Eliza tries to adjust to everything while longing for what she had. The forest and its simple, uncomplicated living calls to her. 

This book does an excellent job of concealing the true villain, and there were several likely suspects. The way the story comes together is perfect. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an excuse to stay up all night reading. This is a can't put it down book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.
 
Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.
 
That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.
 
When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?
 
As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

AUTHOR BIO

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, a 2023 Angel Book Award third-place winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments--piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele--songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.

 To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall ~ Review

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall

By Rebecca Anderson

Hyacinth Bell has come to Ashthorne Hall to care for the estate's orchids. But soon she is caught up in the mystery surrounding the estate - rumors of hauntings are soon not just rumors. But more is going on at Ashthorne than is readily apparent. 

When Hyacinth meets Lucas Harding, the manor’s caretaker, she feels a connection with him. But she can tell that he is hiding something. Something that may be vital to understanding what is going on at Ashthorne. 

And unless Hyacinth can discover the truth, those who call the estate home and even her beloved orchids will be in danger. Because someone haunts the halls and she very much fears that it isn't a ghost that threatens them all.

There is definitely a Gothic thread running throughout and it adds a deliciously tantalizing undercurrent throughout. There is a serious side to this book, one that delves into the plight of the worker and how those in power and authority misuse them. This is a powerful yet entertaining story, which I highly recommend.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A ghostly estate. 

A handsome caretaker hiding a secret. 

And the intrepid Hyacinth Bell who is set on solving the mystery of both.

1887, the Cornwall coast

For years, rumors have flown through the village of Suttonsbury about Ashthorne Hall—that its occupants hoard pirate treasure, that a ghost walks its halls—but botanist Hyacinth Bell only cares about the estate’s extensive, one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is eager to focus on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love—like an orchid—must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom.

What she doesn’t expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor’s caretaker, upon their first meeting. He is handsome and charming, and the connection between the two is nearly instantaneous. Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root.

But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth’s worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but she suspects he is withholding information and decides to investigate the mystery herself.

Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate.

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales ~ Review

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales

By Wendy S. Swore

With a title like this one imagines a fantasy story with maybe some laughs. But this book is more an idea of fantasy instead. There is a serious aspect to it that is actually the main story.  Liam and Alaina are really good friends, but when Liam starts having sleeping spells and seeing things that aren't there Alaina is the only friend who believes him. 

She knows what it's like to have strange symptoms and feel like your body is just weird. Alaina has type 1 diabetes and has been living with it for several years. And she has a theory about how to help Liam.

Alaina believes the two of them have upset the fairies, accidentally. But she believes they have to try breaking Liam's curse before it is too late. And they'll use her research and knowledge of fairies and fairy tales to do this.

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales is a contemporary set chapter book that uses Magical Realism perfectly as Lian and Alaina work together to try to understand and figure out what is wrong with him. Because something must be wrong even if the doctors say he is fine.

This book is perfect in explaining the troubling aspects of having an unknown and chronic condition. We are introduced to the struggle to explain what is difficult to explain and even harder the cruel comments and accusations of lying. How do you convince others that something is wrong when the experts say you're fine? And how long do you keep going on before you give up?

I think this is a book that all middle-grade readers should read. It is an eye-opening read about diabetes, narcolepsy, and cataplexy. I know the words sound scary and the reality of living with these conditions daily is just as scary. I think this book excellently presented this allowing the reader to experience the unknown - the feelings, the pain, and even fear. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Can two friends solve the mystery of Liam's "curse" by using their knowledge of fairy tales?

Something is wrong with Liam. He collapses during soccer practice, he can’t stay awake in class, and he’s starting to see a ghostly white fox that disappears into smoke. His parents and teachers accuse him of being lazy and staying up too late, but he knows it’s something worse.

No one believes him except for Alaina, a friend and self-proclaimed expert in fantasy and fairy tales. She’s seen this sort of thing before and believes Liam has been cursed with a powerful sleeping spell. Her journal is full of possible ways to break a curse. Liam is skeptical, but with his normal life slipping further away, he agrees to try her potential cures.  

As they search for answers in stories, Alaina shares that she also is dealing with something no one else can see: type 1 diabetes. It rears its head like an invisible dragon, and she carries her medical equipment as a knight’s lance and dragon-scale shield to battle it. 

As Liam’s mystery illness worsens, he will need Alaina’s friendship—and perhaps a bit of fairy magic—to find a way to understand the truth of what is happening and regain the pieces of himself that are lost.

Sandcastle Inn ~ Review

Sandcastle Inn

Hope Harbor #10

By Irene Hannon

Vienna Price never wanted to lose her place on the corporate ladder. Still, the sacrificed weekends, non-existent holidays, and skipped vacations couldn't save her from the corporate chopping block of restructuring. With a strange desire to see her mom in person (in her not-so-new home in Hope Harbor), Vienna does just that. What she never expected was to put her MBA and work skills to use on a B&B floundering on the edge.

When Matt Quinn responded to his sister's plea for assistance, he never expected his guilt to make him try to help her with the B&B she bought without seeing beyond the realtor's spiel. But what does a veterinarian from San Francisco know about getting a B&B into shape? 

Sandcastle Inn takes the reader to Hope Harbor, Oregon, a place where the seagulls know when something special is about to happen. Hope Harbor sounds so full of possibility, and it is, but it doesn't happen overnight. It takes work, but it also offers healing. I love how there was a secondary story of a down-on-their-luck couple Andrew and Paige who are trying to rebuild their lives after being blindsided and betrayed by an employee. I love how these three seemingly unrelated life-changing events bring these people in need of hope together. This a lovely contemporary story. If only everyone could so easily find and embrace their own harbor of hope when they most need it.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she'd left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course--because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn't in Matt Quinn's plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn't on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister's new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B--if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

Eat Dessert First ~ Review

Elise's Home Kitchen: Eat Dessert First

By Elise Thomas

With a title of Eat Dessert First, one tends to think this is a cookbook devoted to sweet treats. But with more than 150 recipes less than half are desserts. As someone who is partial to desserts I was more than happy to give this cookbook by Elise Thomas a try, or as Yoda says do or do not, there is no try. Yes, you could get this book just to look at all the lovely pictures, but you won't get as much enjoyment out of it if all you do is look.

There is a delightful assortment of recipes. I have not attempted them all yet. As a Vegetarian I was more than pleased at how easy it would be to switch out vegetarian substitutes for some of the ingredients. Anyone who doesn't have dietary restrictions will love working their way through this cookbook. And there are a lot of pictures which I feel are necessary to have a really good cookbook. I love pictures so that I have a idea of what I'm attempting to create. 

I highly recommend this book if you want something new to serve. Add a new twist to an old favorite and prepare to enjoy the taste and the compliments. But a word of warning this book will make you hungry! Don't open on an empty stomach!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                        

About the Book:

The founder of a successful chain of bakeries shares more 

than 150 no-fuss recipes for delicious go-to family dinners and desserts.

In 2020, when the world was hit with a pandemic, Elise Thomas used her own small kitchen oven to begin baking her signature gourmet cookies. Selling them first out of her garage, her business quickly skyrocketed into a successful chain of bakeries--Cookie Co.--and earned her the nickname "the cookie lady."

Now, in her debut cookbook, Elise shares not only the delectable baked goods she is famous for but also the fast, easy, and delicious meals that have become staples for her own busy family. Recipes are broken into sections based on cravings: Burgers, Sandwiches and Tacos, Pasta, Soups, Salads, Side Dishes, Appetizers and Dips, Breads, Cookies, Cakes and Pies, Desserts and Treats, Breakfast and Brunch.

Whether you're looking for savory dinners like Bacon-wrapped Guacamole Chicken or Beef and Biscuit Pot Pie, or something sweeter like French Toast Rollups or Oreo-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies, Elise's recipes are both simple and flavorful and focus on ingredients most people already have in their pantry. Alongside full-color original photography of each dish are the culinary tips and tricks Elise has learned over the years, a suggested pantry list, and notes about which dishes her kids love most, which can help take the guesswork out of what's for dinner or dessert.

The British Booksellers ~ Review

The British Booksellers

By Kristy Cambron

The British Booksellers is a split-time book that takes the reader between the two world wars, that reshaped the world and England and the lives of Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington Holt. From his earliest memories of Charlotte, Amos has always cared for her more than a tenant should for the daughter of an earl. They are bound together by their love of books and a secret dream to own and run a bookstore.

But time, war, and social standing have a way of destroying hopes and dreams. Instead, Amos returns from war broken both in body and spirit, and Charlotte is a war widow with a daughter. And they become competing booksellers in Coventry. Time, in this case, doesn't heal all wounds. And the Great War, which was the war to end all wars, was a false hope because war has come again. And it has come to Britain, attacking in the night, bringing destruction in its wake, igniting old nightmares, and drawing in a new generation. 

This was an excellent read. One was drawn to Amos and his hopes and dreams. Dreams he knew better than to have, but the heart doesn't pay heed to the head. I like how we are slowly introduced to both chapters of Amos's life and how his childhood friendship with Charlotte changed over time. I also found the contrast between Charlotte and her daughter, Eden, to be interesting. The different ways they look at situations and handle them add some insight into their characters. Even more interesting is how the people of Coventry view Amos after his return from war. And then we have the mystery of why Jacob Colt has come to Coventry from America during a war. I love it when there is a bit of a mystery involved and this book definitely offers this with the back-and-forth between the two wars. Add in a double dose of romance, and you have the perfect weekend read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings, 

The British Booksellers highlights the courage of those 

whose lives were forever changed by war—and the stories 

that bind us in the fight for what matters most.

 

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington…until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now, decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.

 

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

 

From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of World War II, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Kristy Cambron is an award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and an author of nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping Series Bibles and Bible studies. Kristy's work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations, and has been featured at CBN, Lifeway Women, Jesus Calling, Country Woman Magazine, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, Declare, (in)Courage, and Bible Gateway. 

She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read. You can connect with her at: kristycambron.com and versemapping.com.

 

Flat Deception ~ Review

Flat Deception

Roxbury Heirs #2

By Paige Edwards

All Lady Sophie Henderson has ever wanted is to raise and race her horses. She longs to make a name for herself as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field. She is not out to make a stir; rather, she just wants to use her knowledge and skills working with the animals she loves. But when her father receives unexpected news about financial difficulties, Sophie's funds are cut. 

Zander Matthews has long been in love with Sophie, and he knows when he delivers the bad news about the Roxbury Estates finances that Sophie's dream will be the first to be cut when it comes to trimming costs. What he never expected was Sophie's anger and avoidance of him. He wants to help her achieve her dream but Sophie's much like Mr. Darcy when it comes to people losing her good opinion. And she's determined to handle it all on her own, even if she has to sell treasured items to do so. 

As shadows of doubt loom over Sophie and her horses, the situation escalates from bad to worse. Who is behind the attempts to shatter her hopes, dreams, and years of hard work? And who has decided that she needs to be eliminated? In this hour of need, who can she trust?

This is an exciting and fast-moving story that draws the reader into the costly world of thoroughbred racing. When funds are short, what will a desperate person do to keep up appearances and stay in the world they know? There is a definite who-dun-it in this book, and the author does a superb job of keeping the identity a secret. There was just one instance when I wondered, "Is it?"

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Lady Sophie Henderson has worked tirelessly to establish a breeding stable for racehorses on her family’s Scottish estate. But when her father cuts her funding, she’s desperate to find a way to achieve her life’s ambition. Selling precious heirloom jewels enables Sophie to care for her thoroughbreds, though it’s a temporary solution—and one that does not go unnoticed.

Zander Matthews is painfully aware of the role he played in Sophie’s loss of sponsorship. Now, he’s determined to use his hard-earned wealth to help her achieve her dreams. When Zander shocks Sophie with the offer of a business investment, it seems her aspirations are finally within reach. But the new partners discover that finding success will not be simple. There is a dark side to the posh British racing community, and Sophie and Zander have captured the attention of an enemy whose greed knows no bounds. Even as their partnership develops into something more, their happy ending is just beyond reach. Because in a world where people are willing to do anything to win, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Lethal Danger ~ Review

Lethal Danger

Guardians Unleashed #4

By Jerusha Agen

Someone is targeting the fair Jazz Lamont loves, and she'll do everything she can to stop them. The Tri-City Fair has been an important part of her life for the majority of it, a place she can call home.  And someone is determined to destroy it and the people who frequent it.

As part of the additional security, Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency is trained to stop and eliminate the threats that are threatening this year's fair. When an accident causes a visitor to panic, Jazz and security guard Hawthorne Emerson jump into action to save the visitor's life. Later Jazz is surprised and thrilled to learn that the guard who assisted with rescue is none other than her favorite author! Of course she crushes!

But Hawthorne is dealing with his own demons from the past, which seemingly have links to the accidents and threats surrounding the fair. 

Before everything wraps up, both Jazz and Hawthorne will have to put aside their pasts and the influence it has on their present. If they don't, they may not live to see tomorrow.

This is the fourth book in the series and it certainly doesn't disappoint. It is a contemporary Romantic Suspense read, but at its heart it is a story of family, friendship, trust, and letting go of the past. Both Jazz and Hawthorne struggle with "family" and "friendship". They've allowed the past to keep both at arm's length and added 5 more feet just to be safe. And they've blinded themselves to the fact that some of their pain is their own doing. 

This is wonderful blend of suspense and human nature that presents in a completely satisfying read. Not to be missed. Though part of a series one can enjoy this book as a standalone title.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the Books:          

This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. 

This threat could eliminate them.

Being a loner is getting old. Jazz Lamont still can’t fit in at the Phoenix K-9 Agency, and she’s losing her best friend. At least providing security with her K-9 partner at the Tri-City Fair will mean revisiting the only place where she once belonged. But a series of accidents threatens her beloved fair and puts lives at risk.

Thriller author Hawthorne Emerson suspects foul play after the first “accident.” Moonlighting as fair security to investigate the death of his sister’s boyfriend, he’s eager to find the truth. He doesn’t expect the task to lead him to the cult he escaped.

Finding the culprit behind the sabotage is personal for Jazz and Hawthorne. But someone else has a personal stake, too. Someone who wants Jazz dead. When everything she thought was true is dismantled, can Jazz risk trusting others—including God—to survive?


Lethal Danger continues the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1). (Each book can stand alone or be read as a series of installments.)                                                        

The Lady with the Dark Hair ~ Review

The Lady with the Dark Hair

By Erin Bartels

This is a split-time book that follows Esther Markstrom, who lives in the present day, and Viviana Torrens, who called the later half of the 19th-century home. Ester's life has been dictated by her mother's artistic tendencies and their familial ties to Francisco Vella, a minor painter during the Impressionist Era. 

Vella is a bit of a mystery, with not much known about his work other than the collection of works shown at the museum run by Esther's family. But we, as readers get to see Vella and his "relationship" with Viviana. Viviana can no longer return to her home. She is an orphan who, through a series of events, finds herself seeking refuge and escape. We get to experience Viviana's journey as she discovers herself and the world through the eyes of an artist. 

Both these timelines are brought together as Esther begins a journey for answers, thanks to questions raised by her former professor. Who painted The Lady with the Dark Hair? Was it her ancestor as her family has long believed? Or was it another? But this journey will do more than answer questions about the past. It will help Esther discover truths about herself that she's never had the luxury to explore.

I love duel timelines and the way the story unfolds, revealing bits and pieces of the mystery. And there are so many facets that draw one attention to the world of art. I found the process of making paint in the late 1800s fascinating. I have to be honest, I had never before given any thought as to where paint came from. In my limited experience, it comes from a tube or a small pot. Overall, I would say, this was a good read. There's a mystery and a touch of romance, but nothing to keep you up all night. If you want a book you can read leisurely without the tension that suspense causes, you will love this book. 

I was provided a complementary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                       

About the Book:

Esther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella's greatest work--a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair.

In 1879, Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists' pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compelled to pose as Vella's sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen.

This dual-timeline story from award-winning author Erin Bartels takes readers from the sleepy Midwest to the sultry Mediterranean on a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one's dreams.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue ~ Review

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue

By Jaime Jo Wright

Effie James never meant for her sister to see what she did. When they snuck out to check out the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue it was just suppose to be a harmless late night lark. Instead her sister Polly is in shock from what she saw - a brutal murder. But there is no evidence of what Effie heard and Polly saw. Shepherd, Iowa doesn't believe them and their reputations are now called into question. It might be 1901, but proper young ladies don't go out at night to explore abandoned houses and then make up tales of murder. 

The present day finds this same house serving as a Bed and Breakfast, being run by Norah Richman. Norah wants to avoid thinking about rumors of ghosts and hauntings at 322 Predicament Avenue. And she definitely doesn't want to dwell on her own sister's murder, a murder also linked with the house. But with a visiting podcaster sharing he search into answers of the old murder, Norah's fears and pain are foremost on her mind. 

This book is told in a back-and-forth between the two timelines, drawing the reader's attention in from the first page. Two women, two sisters who need answers to events that alter their lives forever. Why and who? These are the answers they seek as they battle the fear that grips them. Effie needs to find evidence of a violent crime, while Norah needs to know why and who. As both work with the strangers who've entered their lives to discover the truth, both will learn exactly who they are and what they'll do and risk for those they love.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue has some gothic moments and most definitely is not a book to read in bed if you want an 8-hour peace-filled sleep. Nope, this is a stay up all night book that will keep you engaged and reading. Just one more chapter won't work for this book - you need to give yourself all day, and maybe a long weekend to catch up on the sleep you are sure to lose. Not for the faint of heart, this is suspense and mystery at its split-time finest!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Book Description:

 

As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.

In 1901, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them.

A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Jaime Jo Wright (JaimeWrightBooks.com) is the author of ten novels, including Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. 

She's also a two-time Christy Award finalist, as well as the ECPA bestselling author of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau and two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her family and felines.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES & HASHTAGS

 

X: @jaimejowright @bethany_house @Austenprose

Instagram: @jaimejowright @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose

Hashtags: #nightfallsonpredicamentavenue #jaimejowright #historicalfiction #historicalsuspense #inspirationalfiction #gothicfiction #newbooks #bookrecs #bookx #bookstagram #booktour #austenprosepr #bhpfiction